Time indicating means



Jan. 14, 1964 H. H. MALONE 3,117,412

TIME INDICATING MEANS Filed Dec. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. IO

35: "I a Bo 3 FIG. 3

F I 2 INVENTOR.

HAROLD H. MALONE ATTORN EY Jan. 14, 1964 H. H. MALONE 3,117,412

TIME INDICATING MEANS Filed Dec. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD H. MALONE United States Patent 3,117,412 TKME KNDECATING MEANS Harold H. Malone, hitting Bldg, Wichita, Kansl iled Dec. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 'i'fidlltl Claims. (til. 5$--l26) T his invention relates to time indicating means. More particularly, the invention relates to time indicating means which is easily readable and usable in computing periods of time.

Various types of timing or time indicating means are known to the prior art. These include conventional clocks, watches or the like in which the time is indicated in minutes. Persons using time keeping records, particularly the self-employed such as lawyers, accountants, architects, doctors, etc. must keep relatively accurate time records from which the client is billed. Ordinary clock means are undesirable for this use, since the total elapsed time must be computed in minutes which is not easily or readily useable with hourly rates to compute charges. Also, it is desirable in many instances to use a relatively small clock or watch and in such instances it is often difficult if not impossible to accurately determine the starting and stopping time to be charged to a particular client, patient, etc.

in accordance with the present invention new time keeping means are provided which overcome the problems and difticulties of the prior art devices. More particularly, the present invention provides means by which the total elapsed time spent with a client, patient, etc., can be easily determined and if desired converted to workable units to be multiplied by the hourly rate to determine total charges for the services rendered.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the invention, the time indicating means is used with a common clock, watch, or other time means. Means are provided on the lens of the clock or watch to give direct readings in minutes or fractions of an hour and for conversion from one unit to another. These readings are utilized with the hour and minute hands for direct readings, for direct conversion of time from one unit of measure to another, and easy computation of the total elapsed time. In another preferred specific embodiment of the invention, a sleeve or the like can be provided on the hands of the clock means so as to make the time indicating means on the lens thereof stand out and be more easily readable. In a still further specific embodiment of the invention, magnifying mirror means are desirably provided with the hands of the clock which serve to magnify the indicia on the lens of the clock and make same more readable, particularly where smaller clocks, watches and the like are used. If desired, discs of various colors can be utilized behind the numerals on the lens of the clocks to make the numerals thereon more easily readable and distinguishable from the usual numerals on the clock.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new time indicating means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new time indicating means having provisions for easy computation of total elapsed time.

A further object of the invention is to provide new time indicating means with a common clock having provisions and means with the hands of the clock for readings for direct conversion of time from minutes to a decimal equivalent and easy computation of the total elapsed time.

Another object of the invention is to provide new time indicating means having provisions therewith for making the time indicating means more easily readable.

Another object of the invention is to provide new time indicating means including a clock wherein the hands of the clock are provided with magnifying means to enlarge and display numerals on the lens of the clock.

A still further object of the invention is to provide new time indicating means particularly suitable for use with time keeping records.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

H6. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred specific embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial front elevation view of the time indicating means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross section view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

PEG. 4 is an enlarged partial elevation view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a clock minute hand having means thereon to make the numerals of the time indicating means more readable.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section view taken along the line tid of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side elevation view, partially broken away, showing the magnifying means with a clock hand to make the numerals more easily readable.

FIG. 8 is a partial isometric View of the clock hand and magnifying means shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view showing other time indicating means particularly suitable for use with small clocks, watches, and the like.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged partial plan view of an embodiment of the time indicating means having circular discs behind the numerals.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new time indicating means of the invention such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. it is to be understood that such discussion and de scription is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the time indicating means of the invention is used with a common time piece, such as the clock 12, a watch, etc. Clock 12 can be of any suit-able construction and includes a clock face 14 having the usual numerals thereon and a transparent lens 116, which, can be of glass, plastic, etc., and which is mounted on the body of the clock 12 in any suitable manner. Clock 12 also includes the usual pivotally mounted hour hand 18 and minute hand 2d which are pivoted at 22 and driven in the common manner.

A transparent disc 24 is preferably provided and is desirably centrally mounted on lens 16. Disc 24 can be mounted on lens E6 in any suitable manner, such as by the use of common adhesives or the like. Also, while disc 24 is shown mounted on the outside surface of lens in, it will be desirable in some instances to mount this disc on the inside surface of lens 16. Disc 24 can be constructed in the manner of a decal having the adhesive applied on the front or rear surfaces thereof in the usual manner to make application of the disc relatively easy. if desired, the indicia on disc 24 can be applied directly to lens 36.

Disc 24 is preferably provided with two rows of numerals, the inner row being shown at 26 and the outer row at 28. The rows of numeral 26 and 28 are preferably spaced from each other and are concentric circular rows as shown. Preferably, the numerals within each row are equally spaced and the disc 24 is desirably mounted on the lens 16 so that the rows of numerals 26 and 28 are coaxial with the pivot 22 of the hands 18 and 20 of the clock 12. Each of the rows of numerals 26 and 28 desirably have the same number of numerals therein, twenty of such numerals being shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, the inner row 26 of numerals indicates the time in multiples of three minutes each and are arranged to correspond to a like time indicating indicia on the face of the clock, that is with the zero minute indicating numeral being at the top center of the disc 24 when mounted. The outer row 28 of numerals preferably has a like number of numerals therein which are radially' aligned with the numerals on the inner row 26 of numerals so as to indicate equivalent times, in this instance the outer row indicating the time in hundredths of an hour. When the inner row 25 of numerals as shown in FIG. 3 is marked in intervals of three minutes, the outer row 28 of numerals will be calibrated in five-hundredths of an hour.

The time indicating means described provides with the hour and minute hands 18 and 2d of clock 12 for readings for direct conversion of time from minutes to hundredths of an hour and for easy computation of total elapsed time. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, it is relatively easy to determine total elapsed time between a starting and stopping time by utilizing the rows 26 and 28 of numerals, such calculation being made in either minutes or hundredths of an hour. Also, once the total elapsed minutes is determined, the numerals on disc 24- can also be utilized for converting this total figure to a decimal equivalent by comparing the coinciding calibrated rows of numerals. These determinations are particularly useful for time keeping records where charges are being made on an hourly basis, since it is much easier to multiply the hourly basis times the elapsed time in decimals than it is to multiply the total time in minutes and divide by the 60 minutes in an hour. This conversion is important since hourly charges are commonly made by attorneys, accountants, architects, factory time keepers, etc., and many business forms have been constructed to provide a record of time to be charged to any client, patient, etc. Typical of these forms with which this invention is particularly suitable is that shown in the copending application Time Card Blotter, Serial No. 858,716, filed December 10, 1959.

If desired, means can be provided to make the rows of numerals Z6 and 28 on disc 24 stand out relative to the rest of the clock 12. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where a generally rectangular sleeve 30 is provided which can be formed of suitable plastics, paper, lightweight metals, etc., and which is preferably generally hollow to be received by the minute hand 2i) and fastened thereto. If desired, sleeve 30 can be secured to the hand 20' by adhesives, or other suitable means. Sleeve 36 is preferably of a contrasting color to the rows 26 and 28 of numerals on disc 24 so that when the sleeve 30 is directly behind any of the numerals they will tend to stand out and be more easily read.

Another preferred manner of making the rows 26 and 23 of numerals easily read is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this instance, a generally rectangular and preferably magnifying mirror 32 is provided which is removably mounted on minute hand 20 in any suitable manner with the elongated portion overlying minute hand 20 as shown. Mirror 32 is desirably mounted on the outer end portion of the minute indicating hand so as to be positioned directly under the rows 26 and 28 of numerals on disc 24. Mirror 32 is generally concave in configuration as best seen in FIG. 8 with the corners turned upwardly as indicated at 34. This construction of a mirror will magnify the numerals and make them easier to read, such being particularly desirable in relatively small clocks and watches in order to obtain an accurate visual reading. FIG. 7 illustrates the magnified numerals, the disc 24 being cut away over the mirror to clarify the illustration.

Another preferred specific construction providing more easily read numerals is shown in HS. of the drawings. In this instance a plurality of relatively small circular discs 36 are provided which are preferably of colors different than the face 14 of the clock 12 and of the numerals on the disc 24. The discs 36 are positioned behind each of the numerals in the rows 26 and 28 of numerals on disc 24 and provide a more readily distinguishable time indicating means. This embodiment of the invention can be used with any of the embodiments previously described.

While the foregoing description has been directed to a disc 24 having the rows of numerals thereon indicating multiples of three minutes and five-hundredths of an hour, other indicia can be provided on the disc 24 if desired. For example, PEG. 9 illustrates a disc 33 similar to disc 24 which is desirably used with relatively small clocks or watches. Due to the relatively small size, the indicia on disc is marked oif in the two rows at 6 minutes or tenths of an hour intervals. Also, generally V-shaped indicia, such as shown at 4f can be provided between each of the numerical readings to more accurately point out the intermediate time intervals, in this instance the V-shaped indicia 4d indicating three minute intervals between the six minute printed intervals. Also, other indicia can be used to even further subdivide the spacing. if desired, the rows of numerals can be constructed at any desired interval, including one minute intervals or smaller or larger denominations thereof, depending upon the desired application.

The invention is used as follows: The time is recorded when a client enters the omce or work is begun on his account, such as at 9:15 A.M., or in decimals at 9.25. When the client leaves or work is stopped, the stop time is recorded, such as 9:54 or 9.90. The stop time is preferably recorded above the start time, such making subtraction easier. The start time is subtracted from the stop time, giving the time to be charged to the client, in this example 39 minutes or .65 hour. The rows of numerals on disc 24 can be used to convert minutes to the decimal equivalent. The time is then multiplied by the hourly rate charged, such as .65 $lO .0O=/hr. to obtain the total carge of $6.50.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

1. Time indicating means comprising, in combination, a clock, said clock having a face and a transparent lens spaced from said face, pivoted hour and minute indicating hands positioned between and spaced from said face and said lens, a transparent disc centrally mounted on the outside face of said lens, two spaced and concentric circular rows of equally spaced numerals on said disc, said rows of numerals being coaxial with the pivot of said hands on said clock, each of said spaced rows of numerals having twenty numerals radially aligned with the numerals on the other of said rows of numerals, the inner one of said rows of numerals indicating time in multiples of three minutes and arranged to correspond to a like time indicating indicia on the face of said clock, and the outer one of said rows of numerals indicating the corresponding time in multiples of five hundredths of an hour, said time indicating means being constructed and adapted to provide with said hour and minute hand for readings for direct conversion of time from minutes to hundredths of an hour and easy computation of total elapsed time.

2. The time indicating means as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a generally rectangular magnifying mirror removably mounted in elongated position on the outer end portion of said minute indicating hand of said clock longitudinally thereof, said mirror being generally concave and turned upwardly at the corners thereof toward said lens, said mirror providing an enlarged image of the portion of said rows of numerals on said disc adjacent to said mirror.

3. The time indicating means as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a. plurality of circular discs of color different than said clock face and numerals, each of said last-named discs being positioned behind said numerals on said disc on said lens to thereby provide more readily distinguishable time indicating means.

4. The time indicating means as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a generally rectangular sleeve removably' mounted in elongated position on the outer end portion of said minute indicating hand of said clock, said sleeve being positioned generally beneath said rows of numerals on said disc.

5. Time indicating means comprising, in combination, a clock, said clock having a face with indicia thereon indicating time in minutes and a crystal spaced from said face, pivoted hour and minute indicating hands positioned between and spaced from said face and said crystal, a transparent member mounted on said crystal centrally of the sweep of said hands, spaced and concentric rows of equally spaced indicia on said transparent member and one of said rows being numerals, said rows of indicia being coaxial the pivot of said hands, said spaced row of numerals having at least ten numerals therein, one of said rows of indicia indicating time in multiples of minutes and arranged to correspond to said time indicating indicia on said face of said clock, and said row of numerals indicating corresponding time in decimal fractions of an hour, said time indicating means being constructed and adapted to provide with said hour and minute hand for readings for direct conversion of time from minutes to hundredths of an hour and easy computation of total elapsed time.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 322,275 Heysinger July 14, 1885 569,296 Newbaker Oct. 13, 1896 618,646 Crane Jan. 31, 1899 901,822 Paquette Oct. 20, 1908 1,689,405 Schaefier Oct. 30, 1928 1,774,146 Lesti Aug. 26, 1930 1,796,652 Hawley Mar. 17, 1931 1,800,210 Condlitfe Apr. 14, 1931 2,072,795 Childs Mar. 2, 1937 2,101,235 Buehrig Dec. 7, 1937 2,290,278 Failla July 21, 1942 

1. TIME INDICATING MEANS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CLOCK, SAID CLOCK HAVING A FACE AND A TRANSPARENT LENS SPACED FROM SAID FACE, PIVOTED HOUR AND MINUTE INDICATING HANDS POSITIONED BETWEEN AND SPACED FROM SAID FACE AND SAID LENS, A TRANSPARENT DISC CENTRALLY MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE FACE OF SAID LENS, TWO SPACED AND CONCENTRIC CIRCULAR ROWS OF EQUALLY SPACED NUMERALS ON SAID DISC, SAID ROWS OF NUMERALS BEING COAXIAL WITH THE PIVOT OF SAID HANDS ON SAID CLOCK, EACH OF SAID SPACED ROWS OF NUMERALS HAVING TWENTY NUMERALS RADIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE NUMERALS ON THE OTHER OF SAID ROWS OF NUMERALS, THE INNER ONE OF SAID ROWS OF NUMERALS INDICATING TIME IN MULTIPLES OF THREE MINUTES AND ARRANGED TO CORRESPOND TO A LIKE TIME INDICATING INDICIA ON THE FACE OF SAID CLOCK, AND THE OUTER ONE OF SAID ROWS OF NUMERALS INDICATING THE CORRESPONDIGN TIME IN MULTIPLES OF FIVE HUNDREDTHS OF AN HOUR, SAID TIME INDICATING MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ADAPTED TO PROVIDE WITH SAID HOUR AND MINUTE HAND FOR READINGS FOR DIRECT CONVERSION OF TIME FROM MINUTES TO HUNDREDTHS OF AN HOUR AND EASY COMPUTATION OF TOTAL TIME ELAPSED. 